I’ll go through these one by one. I think shading is really important; it helps to create a unique style of emote that an artist can be recognised by. Also, if your emote just looks flat, it’s not really going to have the same effect as a perfectly shaded orb, is it? The size is a bit of a different matter, I think. I mean. The most common size is 15x15px, although some prefer 16x16px. And I guess we include giant emotes? Because between 15x15px and 16x16px, there’s not so much difference. Whereas, if you want to make a big impact, then a giant emote could do the trick. I’m not too sure. The colour doesn’t really matter, I don’t think. Although it’s common to use, for example, blue for sad, and red for angry etc., I think it doesn’t really matter what colour the emote is.

I’ve told my family in pretty sketchy terms, and any real life friends of mine who use dA will know, I’m sure. But apart from that, I’ve only told a few, all of which have given me rather confused and odd looks.

5. Who or what was your main reason / biggest motivation for making emotes? And what makes you want to be an Emoticonist?

I’d say the people who were big motivations for me were people like CookiemagiK, Droneguard, Krissi001 and Mirz123, among others. If you’re looking for a reason, it was because I was bored one day in the summer, and though I’d check out some tutorials for these amusing little spheres. I guess it just kind of, expanded from there.

6. What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses as an emoticonist? Is there anything you've consciously worked to improve? If so, how?

My strengths... I think my shading isn’t too shocking, although I’ve been meaning to make it better. And I really love my eye style (Which I just happen to share with Kyramy (we actually independently came up with the idea! Crazy.)). My weaknesses. Well, where to start? I find that I can’t really dither very well at all, or any kind of pixelled background for my emotes. And I can’t seem to show expressions very subtly; I usually rely on large grins and other such obvious expressions. I’ve tried to use more subtle techniques, but they never seem to work.

7. If you had to live for a day as an emote, would you hate yourself for the torture and abuse you put them through?

I actually think I’ve been quite nice to my emotes. The worst I’ve done is an emote being struck by lightning. Well, apart from a dead emote that I did once. But yeah, I think I’ve been quite nice to my emotes.

Uh. Depending on the actual emote, a simple one could be from 5-15 minutes (roughly), and a complex could be anywhere up to like. An hour or more, depending on its specific complexity. If it’s animated... add about half an hour onto those times.

10. If you had to convince someone to become an emoticonist, what would you say?

I actually really love the Emoticon Community. Ignoring little blips in the tightness of our community, I think we’re probably the most tight-knit community on dA. I know most of the more popular emoticonists, or at least know of them. And when I first started, it was great to see emotes posted around the place, and I’d already recognise their usernames. It was certainly a good feeling; you immediately feel welcome. I can't really think of a problem off the top of my head. So, uh. Well done, guys!

12. Do you think the popularity of an emoticon depends on its idea or just how pretty/shiny/bouncy it is?

I think it’s a bit of both, although tipped a bit more towards its appearance. A great idea that’s really well executed would be really popular, whereas a great idea that’s been very poorly executed won’t be as popular. On the other hand, a very simple idea that has been perfectly executed could still be very popular.

13. If there was one person (on dA) who you could watch (educationally, of course) as they work without them knowing, who would you pick?

Well, I’d just say that they’re being ignorant. Emotes need all the same things that other art needs; dedication, emotion, skill and feeling, amongst other things. The only difference is that an emote is pretty small, and might not be as immediately impressive as another form of art. But by no means does that make it not a form of art.

I’m going to have to be a little narcissistic here, and say that there are a couple. I’m proud of Cheering Muffin Up, as I think I executed a simple idea quite well, and they both just look so cute. But then I also love :blank: Revamp and :B Revamp because I’m really pleased with how I put my own spin on some of the legend emotes that I love.

Not really. Although, as it happens, I might be about to go on one. Just because it’s pretty busy for me in real life at the moment. The thing that’ll bring me back will be time! I just need to get through all the busy things.

3D holographic emotes! They’ll literally come out of your screen, and mess about on your desk/table/placement of preference for your computer. And you’ll be able to hold them and squeeze them. It’ll be awesome.